[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19310]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              IN SUPPORT FOR THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 3, 1999

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, today I am signing the discharge petition 
for the purpose of forcing floor consideration of the Patient's Bill of 
Rights.
  I have held back from this action before this time out of my 
expectation the House Speaker would have brought this issue--if not 
this bill--forward before the August recess.
  I am disappointed the majority leadership has broken its commitment 
to have House action on this matter this week. The Senate has acted. 
The American people want Congress to act. Because the indefinate House 
delay is irresponsible and very unfortunate I am signing the discharge 
petition. I hope all minority members who have yet to sign will join me 
in this action. I further hope that we will be joined by a sufficient 
number of Republicans who understand that it is time to act, in order 
to finally force House action on this issue.

                          ____________________